Petting Your Way to Heavier Calves

Want to wean a heavier calf? Maybe you should….pet it. I’m not joking. It’s a concept that is now being studied by Désirée Gellatly, Research Scientist at the Olds College Technology Access Centre for Livestock Production in Alberta, Canada.

According to Gellatley, petting or massaging a calf during their most sensitive period of brain development – the first week – can have major and positive impacts on a healthier and heavier calf. Those are two h-words that we like in the cattle industry.

Gellately has been working with Lance and Karyn Neilson of Neilson Cattle Development near Stettler, AB, on this approach. In their first study, half the newborn calves got just one single occasion of 1-minute massage at 1-day of age. The massaged calves required 20% less treatments for illnesses over time, and, at weaning, were 47 lb. heavier than their unmassaged counterparts.

Ready to start massaging? They recommend that you apply gentle but firm pressure with your hands around the legs, back and areas that the cow would lick.

Think it’s hogwash? Well you can read about the research yourself: https://livestockgentec.ualberta.ca/2023/01/29/the-real-behind-calf-petting/